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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Nine weeks pregnant, but scan showed just under six weeks gestation..

103 replies

IrnBruTheNoo · 30/01/2014 12:35

I've had brown discharge with minute pink discharge occasionally for the past five days, on and off, with a dull ache, crampy feeling....

Sonographer said there's a heartbeat (which I also witnessed on the screen). Seem like good news, but found it hard to get excited about this.

Is the outcome likely to be good? Or should I just expect the worst? Anyone out there been in the position of measuring small for their dates and it's turned out well in the end?

DH suspects that the embryo did not implant straight away to explain the lag in time. Not sure that I feel very convinced....

What a worrying time :(

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CrispyFB · 30/01/2014 16:12

I have been there. I also chart and was 100% sure on my ovulation date (and the BFN at 8dpo and BFP at 9dpo was pretty conclusive) so when baby measured 6 weeks with a really slow heartbeat at 8w2d I knew it wasn't good. I'd had a blighted ovum a few years earlier so I was already familiar with how things went.

The EPU was less interested and told me it was a viable pregnancy due to the heartbeat. Even when I told them when I'd got my positive test, and the fact I'd had an NHS scan at 5w4d which had shown a 5 week sac.. so only one week of growth in three weeks. The nurse just shrugged and reiterated that the pregnancy was viable.

I said I was terrified of being left alone to miscarry, which I felt was inevitable. She said all she could offer was that if bleeding picks up to come in and they might be able to organise another scan, then admit me if the bleeding was bad and an ERPC in a day or two later if necessary. Which is not ideal when I had another child to look after. Otherwise I was not to come back for another six weeks for my "dating" scan.

Miscarriage was luckily covered by the health insurance my employer offered (BUPA) so I ended up getting another scan privately a week later when the heartbeat had stopped, and an ERPC the following morning privately. Is that an option for you? Even just a private scan, the NHS might accept it if it shows no development/loss of heartbeat.

Having said that sometimes people do go on to have babies at full term in circumstances like this, but it is presumably always because they've got their ovulation dates wrong. Early ultrasound is rarely out by more than a week.. it's a different matter past about 10-12 weeks when the baby grows at a different speed.

I am so sorry you are going through this, the limbo is truly horrible and stressful. Thinking of you and hoping for the best for you! Thanks

willitbe · 30/01/2014 18:43

Any scan under 12 weeks can be affected dating wise by the tilt of the uterus. It is easily possible to measure 2,weeks behind with a retroverted uterus.

I have had measuring behind dates go both ways. With my dd I had a scan at 7w3d and scan showed less than 5 weeks and not even a foetal pole. A couple of weeks later my uterus had raised up and the scan measured good for dates, at proper dating scan measured ahead of dates that actually tied in with my early ovulation!!!

However likewise have had a few times where measuring behind (even with heartbeat) has ended in miscarriage.

Sorry to say but only time will tell. I am in limbo waiting at the moment too, scan this week at 7 weeks and measuring a week behind. So I am just hoping it is the tilt of my uterus again. I have another week to wait til my next scan.

I hope at your next scan you get a lovely surprise.

CrispyFB · 30/01/2014 19:31

True, I forgot about tilted uterus issues! I do actually have one and it's not made a difference to my scans, but I know it can do for some women. Abdominal scans are often out by quite a bit too.

If they'd measured the heartbeat that might have given a better indication as you can often gauge a rough gestational age from the heart rate. However I've never had it measured at an NHS EPU, although all the private ones have.

stickysausages · 30/01/2014 20:49

It took 3 scans to finally see my baby... who is now a gorgeous 5yr old boy!

I had long, irregular cycles, which didn't fit into hospital calculations.

Don't give up hope x

Chocpudding · 31/01/2014 09:06

In my experience I wish they had been honest about measuring behind. I had felt reassured by seeing a baby with a hb at 8 weeks and then I then had the massive shock of a mmc at 12 week scan. Because the initial scan put me back so far I was pregnant for 15+ weeks before I finally got my ERPC. It was so traumatic.

If there is any way you could get an earlier scan this might help you move forward more quickly.

Sending you lots of strength.

CuppaSarah · 31/01/2014 09:33

I saw your thread and thought I'd give you my positive experience of measuring behind dates. Because my cycle is so irregular we couldn't use my lmp to date the pregnancy and had to fill in the gaps ourselves. We worked out I couldn't be less than 8 weeks. We went for a scan to date things and there was a heartbeat but we were measuring just under 6 weeks. The sonographer seemed very tense, then told us she needed to talk to someone else. She came back with someone else who just kept saying well there is a heartbeat again and again and told us tp go.make our 12 week appointment for 6 weeks time. It was my first pregnancy ans I wss a bit naive. I had no idea measuring small couls be a sign something was wrong. So we just went home, 6 weeks later I was rescanned and measured 12 weeks. I still have no idea what happened, if my dates were wrong or she was snall, but dd is nearly a year now and a very dainty girl.

I'm really hoping you end up having a very simular story to me. Best wishes.

Original poster
IrnBruTheNoo · 31/01/2014 10:54

Thank you so much for all these positive stories, but also the reality that things may not go to plan either. I have not experienced any bleeding yet and I'm feeling sick as a dog, plagued with it all day long. DH says I should take comfort in this and take it as a good sign which I'm trying to. One day at a time. :)

Will update on this when I know more, but for now there isn't much I can do but wait.

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livingzuid · 31/01/2014 11:38

These early scans are so inaccurate. And it's luck of the draw as to how experienced your sonographer is as well. Early transvaginal scans can struggle to see anything. I am in the Netherlands and had a horrendous experience at 7 weeks. Told at six weeks all looked normal then at 7 weeks was told by some dumb bint of a sonographer (whom I'm convinced was no better qualified than my left arm) that she couldn't tell if it was a viable pregnancy and to wait to miscarry as there was no growth. Having had a mc a few months previously me and dh were wrecks. Went back the next day after a long dark night for me for the report to say there had been growth and it was just too early to see a heartbeat but they refused to see me again to look. Then to go to a different hospital when my care was transferred who refused to see me till 13 weeks and currently have a very active baby at 21+6 who is measuring big for her dates Confused

Six weeks is too long to sit around and not know. Ask again and just keep nagging, maybe your gp can help?

The fact that there's a heartbeat already is a great sign + the morning sickness symptoms increasing. Hope all works out for you, there is still a very good chance all is fine.

livingzuid · 31/01/2014 11:40

Sorry 3 weeks to wait not six! Even a day is too long!

Original poster
IrnBruTheNoo · 01/02/2014 14:19

Cramping got slightly worse this morning, have taken paracetamol, and just waiting it out now. It's no longer spotting, but showing on a sanitary towel, reddish colour. I think it's game over. I've a booking appointment on Tuesday, but looks like there's nothing to book now. Don't think I'm going to make it to the appointment (just like the time I had the MMC a few years back).

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Original poster
IrnBruTheNoo · 01/02/2014 14:20

Glad you're experience turned out to be positive livngzuid.

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Armadale · 01/02/2014 14:42

Thanks thinking of you

Metalhead · 01/02/2014 14:59

So sorry to hear that IrnBru. At least you might get some closure, devastating as it is. I think the waiting and not knowing is probably worse, though I might be wrong as I haven't experienced a mc (yet).

Wishing you lots of luck for the future x

livingzuid · 01/02/2014 19:37

Oh no sorry to hear that. Take good care of yourself and lots of rest. Thanks

CrispyFB · 01/02/2014 20:06

Sad Thanks Bleeding can be normal in pregnancy but combined with your scan it doesn't look promising. Will be hoping for that slim chance for you just the same though!

Coconutty · 01/02/2014 20:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
IrnBruTheNoo · 01/02/2014 23:12

I know Crispy, the fact that I'm nine weeks but actually showing as six on the scan doesn't and didn't look good when I was there at the hospital, tbh...even though the sonographer was making out I may have got my dates 'wrong'. I know my dates back to front, and even if implantation happened later, surely three weeks is really far off the mark...I'm expecting the worst now.

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Metalhead · 02/02/2014 15:27

Any news IrnBru? Has the bleeding stopped or got worse?

I'm having AF-type cramps today and keep expecting to see blood every time I go to the loo...

Original poster
IrnBruTheNoo · 02/02/2014 18:59

Hi Metalhead - I've actually had less cramping today (about 30mins at 11.30 this morning) and hardly any spotting. I'm getting brown, sometimes pink discharge when I'm wiping at the loo (sorry TMI!) but nothing in copious amounts. I'm just baffled by this.

If I had started to bleed heavy through the night last night, I'd know this is it for sure, but no, pad was spotless. I've the booking appointment on Tuesday so will see what happens then, but doubtful I'll get another scan so soon. It does make you wonder though, it's as if the body is unsure whether to continue with this pregnancy. It cannot seem to make it's mind up!

Hope you don't get any more spotting, sorry to hear you've had the cramping now :( Have everything crossed for you it's good news and positive outcome. This waiting is torture!

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Metalhead · 02/02/2014 19:30

Thanks IrnBru. Let me know how it goes on Tuesday. I think given your concerns and now the bleeding you should definitely push for another scan!

bakingtins · 02/02/2014 19:48

Irn so sorry you are stuck in this horrible limbo. Fearing the worst but still having that little bit of hope is very hard. I've had 4 MC, in the 3 which happened since I had my two boys I've had a very similar experience, measuring well behind dates I am certain of, with a heartbeat seen, having a period of limbo then miscarrying at 8-10 weeks by dates. Turns out I have high NK cells which cause my immune system to attack the foetus and placenta so it is basically starved out Sad I have said many times I'm not doing it again....but with a diagnosis and treatment I'm now 22 weeks. If it doesn't become clear which way things are going pretty quickly do campaign for another scan, it is torture not knowing. If in a week you have a week's worth of growth then all good, if not at least you know and can start to deal with it.

Original poster
IrnBruTheNoo · 02/02/2014 22:20

Thanks to you both, will come back on when I know more to update.

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Original poster
IrnBruTheNoo · 02/02/2014 22:21

bakingtins glad you're going through a successful pregnancy, what a stressful time you must have been through before Flowers

Wishing you all the best.

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Original poster
IrnBruTheNoo · 02/02/2014 22:24

I'm not sure I have the energy to go through another pregnancy for it to be a failure if this one doesn't work out. I am not sure I am emotionally strong enough to take the risk again. I've got two DC to look after, and I've been finding it a real struggle at times as it is (DH works shifts and I can be on my own for long periods during the day or night). I don't know how people do this with existing DC.

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bakingtins · 03/02/2014 07:08

It's been much discussed on the RMC threads whether existing DC make it better or harder, and the conclusion was it just gives you a slightly different set of worries. You don't have the luxury of falling apart for a while, but you don't have the worry of remaining childless. We did have to weigh up the impact on our existing DC, but we have several times found the emotional energy for 'one last try' Everyone has a point at which they've had enough, you'll make the right decision for you and your family if you find yourself in that position.
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